For the 2023 NFL Draft, there are several quarterbacks that are eligible for an early pick. However, the right team and the right conditions into which a talent is drafted are also important for further development. There are different worst and best case scenarios for each player. This can depend on coaches, the environment or a certain game system.
Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson are the four top quarterback candidates for the upcoming NFL Draft. All have different strengths and weaknesses. I have your exact profiles with my colleague Lorenz Leinweber in the latest issue “The Stars of Tomorrow” for the podcast FOOTBALLQUARK summarized. Tomorrow there will be a new episode in which I will talk to the former quarterback of the German national team and quarterbacks coach Jo Ullrich about individual ways in which the talents can work on their respective weaknesses.
We’re not through yet! ????
Another episode FOOTBALLQUARK for #NFLDraft https://t.co/FDIxSeCAtX pic.twitter.com/8bM9KgpSwF
— Footballquark (@footballquark) February 15, 2023
Anthony Richardson / Florida Gators
Anthony Richardson threw 66 passes before his senior year of college. Until then, he had been used almost exclusively as a runner, but he still received a lot of attention in relation to the 2023 NFL Draft, because Richardson is an athletic freak. He can heave his almost 110 kilograms across the field faster and more flexibly than almost anyone else, is still incredibly physical and has a cannon of one arm. However, the spread of his attacks and the lack of experience as a real quarterback is a shortcoming that needs to be taken into account in the draft.
Best Case: Seattle Seahawks
Well, I got the tip from Lorenz from the podcast. But I can get a lot out of this connection. DK Metcalf and Anthony Richardson would be the perfect gym buddies. Pete Carroll probably couldn’t rip his shirt off fast enough if the Seattle Seahawks actually brought the young quarterback from Florida.
His previous underdevelopment benefits from the fact that Geno Smith is a solid starter in the team and Carroll has already proven that he can develop a rookie quarterback relatively quickly. The current receiving corps and offensive line, assuming all of those players are still there when Richardson eventually takes over as starter, would go very well with a playstyle that’s as vertical as possible with option plays.
Worst Case: Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t a great team right now, and while Josh McDaniels likes to claim otherwise, he’s yet to prove coaching a rookie Hall of Famer. Rather, he makes the same mistakes as when he was first hired as head coach for the Denver Broncos.
He fires with Derek Carr an established quarterback and a key figure in the locker room. Now it looks like he’s about to throw a rookie quarterback into that barrel of gunpowder. In the worst case, he chooses a playmaker who is not yet ready to play in the NFL. If the Raiders also sign a veteran who everyone knows will be out of action in a few weeks anyway, the disaster would be homegrown and predictable.
McDaniels would be out of the job sooner than he would like, and Anthony Richardson’s career, as promising as it currently appears, would take a blow from which many young quarterbacks have never recovered.
Bryce Young / Alabama Crimson Tide
Bryce Young is the quarterback in this squad with the fastest processors. While other talent may be able to dig in here, what sets Young apart is his creativity and quick processing of the game after the snap. His arm is solid but doesn’t lend itself to a lot of vertical play than other prospects in this draft class. As such, he will do best in an offense that focuses on broad horizontal concepts.
Best Case: Indianapolis Colts
With the obligation ofShane Steichen as the new head coach It should be clear where the journey for the Indianapolis Colts is going in the next few years. They currently have strong receivers on the flanks in particular, so they need even more quality in the centre. But Bryce Young will adjust fairly quickly to a similar offense as the Philadelphia Eagles carried this year with slightly fewer runs and option plays from the quarterback.
Worst Case: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Granted, we don’t yet know who the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new offense playcaller will be. However, should they continue along the same path, there is a lot of responsibility in the quarterback’s hands. The Buccaneers can’t expect a rookie to read the game as well as Tom Brady, and that’s one of Young’s weaknesses. Because before the snap, the quick passer still has a lot to learn. There are certainly better alternatives for both parties. However, it can be assumed that Young will not be within the reach of the Bucs in the draft.
C.J. Stroud / Ohio State Buckeyes
I’m not saying that CJ Stroud is the opposite of Bryce Young. But where Young has his main post-snap assets is Stroud, who is already very intelligent at reading what the defense is going to offer him pre-snap. He’s the traditional game manager, but he’s shown that he can take matters into his own hands when the need arises. Stroud is therefore one of the best quarterbacks of his year.
Best Case: Carolina Panthers
All the actions of the Carolina Panthers currently indicate that they can well imagine a safe quarterback in their ranks, who implements an offensive concept with a good rhythm and almost flawlessly. New quarterbacks coach Josh McCown is a similar type of player and is even said to have ties to Stroud. Jim Caldwell brought Matthew Stafford onto the NFL stage during his heyday and now serves as a senior assistant to the staff.
DJ Moore would be a receiver of the type Stroud found in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson in his rookie year at Ohio State, which made his entry a lot easier. In addition, Stroud needs a good offensive line that gives him time to implement his decisions. The right coaches, the right environment and the right orientation, he would get all of that with the Panthers.
Worst Case: New York Giants
The New York Giants are very likely to continue with Daniel Jones. But just a few months ago, they were repeatedly associated with the quarterbacks in this draft class. So when the board falls fitting and a playmaker they favor suddenly falls into their hands, we don’t know what they do.
But CJ Stroud shouldn’t be that quarterback. The Game Manager needs a good offensive line and strong receivers because he doesn’t show much outside of the structure and tends to showcase his playmakers rather than the other way around. In addition, Brian Daboll lets his quarterback play a vertical system with various runs. At least that’s what he’s done with the Giants and the Buffalo Bills so far. The worst case scenario for Stroud.
Will Levis / Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was a gadget player three years ago. In college, he was cast in a Taysom Hill role. Then he switched to the Wildcats and should gradually be trained as a passer. Undoubtedly, Levis is still relatively early in its development here and still needs to do its homework in both processing and reading defenses. In addition, the massive runner is always good for wrong decisions that lead to fumbles and interceptions.
well, at least we know that this isn’t an evil plot to stop us from posting will levis’ worst interceptions pic.twitter.com/zgSH7HQy8n
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 8, 2023
Best Case: Los Angeles Rams
Will Levis is best served by the Los Angeles Rams. Because he already played under last year’s Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen and therefore knows some plays and above all the “language” that is spoken in this offense. Be it pre-snap changes or special codes, Levis will recognize some of it from his college days.
Therefore, he does not need any time to get used to it and can devote himself directly to his many other construction sites. Matthew Stafford and/or Baker Mayfield (expiring contract) can take him by the hand in the Quarterback Room while he’s settling in. Levis could bring his game to NFL level with the Rams and watch from the sidelines on Sundays. Head coach Sean McVay could also show if he can also develop a rookie quarterback.
Worst Case: Indianapolis Colts
I’ve already written about the Colts here and many would like to think that if they see Jalen Hurts play, they can also imagine Will Levis in an offense like this. But beware! An underdeveloped quarterback on an all-new coaching staff that needs to find themselves instead of tending to the young playmaker can quickly prove to be a ticking time bomb.
Will Levis could easily be thrown to the lions on this team. Coach Steichen would also have a huge task ahead of him from day one. In my opinion, it would be the worst case for all sides.